1911 Cover sent by Oscar Mamen from Urga to Kristiania, Norway via Siberia franked with 10k tied by Urga Type 6 datestamp, no covers recorded to Norway, UNIQUE

Russia & Soviet Union / Offices in China

"1911 Cover sent by Norwegian from Urga to Kristiania, Norway via Siberia franked with 10k tied by Urga Type 6 datestamp, ms. return 'O. Mamen Esq., Urga, Mongolia, China', no covers recorded to Norway, UNIQUE Hellrigl records only one other usage from any Russian post office in Mongolia to Norway, a 16.11.1911 postcard to Kristiania (Oslo) franked with a 4k. Thus this a unique cover usage to Norway. It seems unusual to include the word ""China"" in the return address, especially on a cover to Russia. Perhaps Mamen was tweaking the Russians by using China, or perhaps it had to do with the revolution in China, which began in October, 1911 and led to the founding of the Republic of China on January 1, 1912. Oscar Mamen was a Norwegian who lived in Mongolia from at least 1911 to 1932. He seemed to have been an accomplished entrepreneur. He lived in Urga, spoke the language, and had a number of Mongolia friends. He was acquainted with the Hutukhuto, the head lama of Mongolia and had sold him a motor car. Mamen himself drove to Urga in 1916 in an automobile. He is mentioned in the famous travel books Across Mongolian Plains (1921) and Old Tartar Trails (1919). He and his wife took extensive photographs of the area during 1929-32, which were exhibited in 2015."

Condition: Used.

Postal History

Lot sold:

$550

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Rare Stamps and Postal History Auction

Auction 42

February 3 - 14, 2025

United States , Black Mountain , NC

The Empire and Zemstvo, offices abroad, Civil War and Czechoslovak Legion, Soviet varieties and chronology, Russian post in Mongolia, charity letter sheets, Ukraine and DP camps. Germany and colonies, occupations, Sudetenland, Third Reich propaganda, world locals and 19th-century classics complete the sale.

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The World, Local Issues, 19th Century Stamps, and Rare Cinderellas

Lots 1 - 555

Closed on Feb 3

Russian Empire and Zemstvo

Lots 556 - 1072

Closed on Feb 4

Russian Offices Abroad: China, Levant, Crete

Lots 1073 - 1458

Closed on Feb 5

Russian Civil War, Czechoslovak Legion, Local Issues, Caucasus

Lots 1459 - 2048

Closed on Feb 6

RSFSR, Soviet Union & Tannu Tuva Rare Stamps and Varieties

Lots 2049 - 2344

Closed on Feb 7

Russian Post in Mongolia, Charity Letter Sheets, Mute Covers

Lots 2345 - 2804

Closed on Feb 7

The Soviet Union: Chronology

Lots 2805 - 3269

Closed on Feb 8

Third Reich Propaganda: Illustrated Postcards and Labels

Lots 3270 - 3898

Closed on Feb 10

Germany: Empire, Weimar Republic, Third Reich, Territories, After 1945

Lots 3899 - 4463

Closed on Feb 11

Germany: Colonies, German States, Rare Revenues, Courier Mail

Lots 4464 - 5054

Closed on Feb 12

Germany: WWI & WWII Occupations, Sudetenland, Propaganda

Lots 5055 - 5613

Closed on Feb 13

Ukraine & Displaced Persons Camps

Lots 5614 - 6144

Closed on Feb 14

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